Page 54 of A City of Hearts and Feathers

"I don't know. I never got a chance to see it when it was all together," Kerem said. He held out a hand to Zoe. "What's that paper?"

"A receipt of some kind," Zoe replied, passing it over.

Kerem took it and read the faded printed script. "It's a locker receipt for the Galatasaray Bathhouse."

"Another breadcrumb," Zoe said with a sigh. She washed her hands, put on a new band-aid before getting her gloves on and opening the folio. Kahil went off to shower, leaving Zoe and Kerem to study it alone.

"Do you think I'll be able to bind it back together once I have all the pieces? I don't know what spellsbabaused on this leather. The paper is so fragile too," Zoe said, unfolding the first pieces.

Kerem was still staring at the chess set in its new flower shape. "Oman knew magic I didn't. I had no idea he could do things like this."

"Maybe Arslan will know. I'm starting to feel nervous, Kerem. I don't know what to do once I have it all together. I told Akamos I'd have an auction likebabaplanned, but I don't know if that's the best course of action either," Zoe said, slumping down into a chair. She felt like she needed another six hours of sleep.

Kerem finally pulled his glance away from the chess set. "An auction would be best. It's the fairest, and it has always been the go-to move of the Kartal family."

"I don't think I want anyone to have it. They are all pushy jerks and to make matters worse, I know one of them had to have killedbabawhile trying to get it."

"Unfortunately, those pushy, murdering jerks won't leave you alone while you have it." Kerem gave her an encouraging smile. "I know you'll make the right choice, Zoe."

"The only choice I want to make right now is to have another nap," she said, rubbing at her tired eyes.

"A good plan if you're going to have to meet with Lydia and her priestesses tonight. Leave the bathhouse investigations until tomorrow."

Zoe nodded, staring at the pages of the codex. Worry clawed her gut, how was she going to keep it safe? She didn't have magical training like Oman, and the longer she had the codex, the more she was putting Kahil in danger.

Before, she had accepted that protecting her was a part of his job with the Order. Now she couldn't bear to see him hurt. If shesold the Sais Codex to either the light or the dark, she couldn't trust they wouldn't use it. Selling it to Arslan meant making him and the Order a continuous target.

Why did you have to buy this book, baba?she complained to his ghost. No amount of money was worth being in danger all the time, and Zoe had a feeling that her father hadn't learned that lesson until it was too late.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

By late afternoon, Zoe was sure that Kerem was going out of his way to not leave her alone with Kahil for a moment. When the time came for them to leave to see Lydia, she still hadn't kissed Kahil once and was starting to feel the after-hook-up awkwardness.

At least Zoe didn't have to worry about dressing in fancy club attire for this meeting. She wore a casual sundress and left her hair in a braid.

This time around, the Order was taking no chances. Arslan arrived driving a black Mercedes and insisted on being their driver for the evening.

"You guys are starting to make me more nervous," Zoe complained when he got out to open the door for her.

Arslan only smiled. "Lydia has been too forceful with you, little one. She won't be game enough to do anything too rash if I am there. She's not that stupid."

"No one is going to believe that you are a driver," Zoe said. He was wearing a neat black suit with a golden tie pin of Anubis's head.

"They don't have to. I'm driving because Kahil behind the wheel terrifies me," Arslan said and opened the back door for her. "My heart is too old to deal with the strain."

"My driving is excellent, thank you very much." Kahil climbed into the back beside Zoe, and her pulse went erratic. She had worried that he would sit in the front to talk to Arslan. He brushed his fingers along her forearm. "Are you okay?"

"No. I've been dying to kiss you all day, and they won't let me do it," she complained.

Kahil leaned back in his seat and laughed softly. "Save the kissing for later. If you kiss me now, I'll be inclined to tell everyone to go fuck themselves, and I'll end up starting a war."

Zoe fidgeted, zipping the pendant around her neck on its chain. " So you don't regret anything that happened last night?" It was awkward, but she had to ask. They hadn't had a chance to have the morning after conversation.

"The only thing I regret is having to deal with this bullshit with Lydia instead of making myself comfortable between your thighs right now," Kahil replied. His ringed fingers slid over hers, and she turned her palm so that she could hold his hand.

"Good to know that we're on the same page. Because I would really like to—" Zoe's words were cut off as Arslan got into the front seat and turned the car on.

Kahil leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Hold that thought. I want to hear all about it when we get home." He took the opportunity to press a small kiss behind her ear, and her fingers tightened around his.

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